Synthesis and thermal characterization of xylan-graft-polyacrylonitrile

► Grafting polyacrylonitrile onto xylan via ceric ion initiated polymerization. ► Ceric solutions prepared with perchloric acid or nitric acid and optimum conditions were determined for both ceric solutions and characterizations were performed. ► Perchloric acid employed polymerizations realized at milder temperatures than nitric acid employed reactions. ► Oxidation of xylan was observed for both reactions, but it was higher when perchloric acid was used. ► Molecular weight and conversion ratio were controlled by acid type and thermal behaviors of the copolymers were greatly affected by molecular weight and acid type.